IN THE SERVICE OF THE SULTAN: A first-hand account of the Dhofar Insurgency

A well written book by Ian Gardiner about a little known, and barely studied example of a successful counter-insurgency campaign against communist insurgents in the Dhofar region of Oman in the 1970s. Gardiner shares his first-hand accounts of what he experienced working with the Omani government, with the Dhofari people and the fighting against the communist insurgents in some of the most inhospitible terrain on the planet. From blistering heat, to monsoon-like rains, the British, Omanis and other forces fought against a communist-lead insurgency. Working both politically and militarily against the insurgents, the Dhofar campaign is a study in how to conduct a successful COIN effort.

Gardiner's writing is both descriptive and easy to read. His writing style keeps the reader captivated, easily bringing you through his accounts of the insurgency and the efforts against it. Although you cannot lay the template for success directly over current counterinsurgency operations but the lessons learned, the political/military approaches and the timeless lessons of working with the host nation (Oman) remain valuable for today's fight.